United States
Office of Personnel Management




Office of Merit Systems Oversight and Effectiveness
Digest of Significant Classification Decisions and Opinions
December 2001
Article No. 27-06


Standard:	General Schedule Leader Grade Evaluation Guide (June 1998)

Factor:	N/A

Issue:	Coverage of the General Schedule Leader Grade Evaluation Guide 
(GSLGEG)

Identification of the Classification Issue

The appellant’s position was classified as Lead Engineering Technician, GS-802-
12.  His position description was rewritten in connection with an installation 
reorganization using an automated PD program.  With the automated PD, his 
engineering duties were classifiable at the GS-11 level, so lead duties were added 
to support the GS-12 level.  The appellant claimed that his leader duties occupied 
40 percent of his work time and that, by application of the GSLGEG, his position 
should be graded at the GS-13 level.

Resolution

The appellant led two GS-12 engineering technicians and one local national 
technician whose position was equivalent to the GS-11 level.  However, OPM 
found that the appellant’s position did not meet GSLGEG coverage requirements.  
To be classified by application of Part II of the Guide, positions must spend at 
least 25 percent of their time leading a team of other GS employees in 
accomplishing two-grade interval work (or one-grade interval at GS-9 or above), 
and must exercise certain minimum authorities and responsibilities.  OPM found 
that the level of independence exercised by the subordinate team members, 
especially the GS-12's, precluded the position from meeting the 25 percent 
criterion.  Both positions operated with considerable independence and the 
incumbents were considered to be the technical authorities in their respective 
fields.  OPM concluded that the appellant spent no more than 20 percent of his 
time leading work, mainly over only the GS-11 equivalent position, and did not 
perform, as a minimum, all of the first seven authorities and responsibilities 
described in Part II.  In addition, since the appellant’s non-lead duties graded out 
at the GS-11 level, it was doubtful that he possessed the extent of technical 
knowledge needed to monitor GS-12 level work.  Therefore, the position could 
not be evaluated using the GSLGEG and OPM found the position to be correctly 
classified at the GS-11 level.  

“Back to the Basics”

In determining the applicability of the GSLGEG, the first test is whether the 
position meets the basic coverage requirements.  The duties and grade levels of 
subordinate positions, and their working and reporting relationships within the 
organization, should be examined to confirm that each criterion is fully met.


Link to C-0802-11-06



Digest of Significant Classification Decisions and Opinions, No. 27, December 2001